It seems the design savvy are going la-la for the lacquer look right now, with posts by some of my favourite bloggers lusting over glossy walls and finishes. So why now? Well.... It was inevitable really, after years of the design rule being matt, matt and more matt, with occasional chalkiness thrown in. Where there's a... Continue Reading →
Do Up Diary #42 New Windows – Are you plastic fantastic or terrific timber?
Not a minute today to tweet or mess about on social media, I've been up on the scaffolding painting my freezing little fingers off and getting a good oil based undercoat on our four new timbers windows which arrived yesterday. There's no time to waste as we're losing the scaffolding around the garage tomorrow so... Continue Reading →
Review: Decorating With Colour by Ros Byam Shaw
Inspiration is often much needed mid works, especially if you live in the midst of a mucky building site! It arrived this month in the form of a rather beautiful book called "Decorating with Colour" showcasing some stunning Farrow & Ball adorned properties. I'm partial to a bit of F&B as you know, and was... Continue Reading →
Book Review : Kitchenalia by Vinny Lee
Any good illness needs a good page turner and for an interiors obsessive like me, this newly published guide to creating a wonderfully personal and unique look to your kitchen couldn't have come at a better time. Jam packed full of images and useful tips for the amateur or the expert, it captures the essence... Continue Reading →
How to keep dark grey / black paint pristine on interior timber
Recent months have seen a plethora of blog posts by interior designistas on the virtues of inky decor schemes. If you aren't already painting your woodwork fifty shades of grey, you won't be part of the monochromatic In Crowd, let me tell you. They can look rather fabulous, as this small selection shows: However although it might be... Continue Reading →
Do Up Diary #1 – How I found myself falling in love with a grubby rented beauty
It was pitch black and drizzly on the night in 2001 when I found myself roped into helping a friend move from her few nights sofa-surfing with me to her newly found rent-a-room in South Manchester. Hoisting black bin bags and clutching errant shoes, we opened up a creaky gate under drooping overgrown branches and... Continue Reading →
Using velvety Mole’s Breath and springtime Yellowcake
I boxed off decisions for Project Pad today, a small hotel style rental for short term let which we're getting ready to pop on the market in March. As it's a compact room, all the elements have to work brilliantly together for the scheme to work as a whole, the bed & headboard, the flooring,... Continue Reading →